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Topic: Mums gone to Iceland. (Read 413 times)

Icelanders opposed to the state funding of religion have flocked to register as Zuists, a movement that worships ancient Sumerian gods and – perhaps more importantly – promises its followers a tax rebate.

More than 3,100 people – almost 1% of Iceland’s population – have joined the Zuist movement in the past two weeks in protest at paying part of their taxes to the state church and other religious bodies. Followers of Zuism will be refunded the tax element earmarked for religion.

Icelanders are required to register their religion with the state, with almost three-quarters of the population affiliated to the established Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland. There are more than 40 other registered religious bodies that qualify for “parish fees” paid through the taxation system. The amount set in next year’s budget is the equivalent of about $80 (£53) per taxpayer over a year.

“There is no opt-out. Those who are unaffiliated or belong to unregistered religions effectively just pay higher taxes,” said Sveinn Thorhallsson, a Zuist spokesperson. An opinion poll published in September showed 55% of respondents want an end to the system.

Icelanders opposed to the state funding of religion have flocked to register as Zuists, a movement that worships ancient Sumerian gods and – perhaps more importantly – promises its followers a tax rebate.

More than 3,100 people – almost 1% of Iceland’s population – have joined the Zuist movement in the past two weeks in protest at paying part of their taxes to the state church and other religious bodies. Followers of Zuism will be refunded the tax element earmarked for religion.

What's going on - first of all Iceland jails its Banksters and now they are protesting against a requirement that citizens pay taxes to state church... Oh those crazy Vikings!

What's crazy is that they have opted to join a religious organisation in order to demonstrate agaist paying their part of their taxes to ' ...and other religious bodies'. It sounds somewhat hypocritical.

Logged

Are your, or your friends'/relatives', garages, lofts or sheds full of unused DIY gear, sewing/knitting machines or fabric and haberdashery stuff?

What's going on - first of all Iceland jails its Banksters and now they are protesting against a requirement that citizens pay taxes to state church... Oh those crazy Vikings!What's crazy is that they have opted to join a religious organisation in order to demonstrate agaist paying their part of their taxes to ' ...and other religious bodies'. It sounds somewhat hypocritical.

Not really all that hypocritical: just a pragmatic necessity in order to recover their personal monies that would otherwise find its way into the coffers of religious organisations.

What's crazy is that they have opted to join a religious organisation in order to demonstrate agaist paying their part of their taxes to ' ...and other religious bodies'. It sounds somewhat hypocritical.

The options they have been given are join a religious group that will return the money to them, or pay taxes to support religions they don't believe in. Given that their options are restricted, they've selected the pragmatism of hypocrisy - although I don't think that they're actually expecting anyone to believe that they're genuinely believers - over the penalty of taxation for someone else's benefit.

You could, rather uncharitably, brand it as hypocrisy, but of their two options they obviously find that preferable. Is it any less hypocritical to give money to support religious organisations that you don't follow?

Rhiannon

The options they have been given are join a religious group that will return the money to them, or pay taxes to support religions they don't believe in. Given that their options are restricted, they've selected the pragmatism of hypocrisy - although I don't think that they're actually expecting anyone to believe that they're genuinely believers - over the penalty of taxation for someone else's benefit.

You could, rather uncharitably, brand it as hypocrisy, but of their two options they obviously find that preferable. Is it any less hypocritical to give money to support religious organisations that you don't follow?

O.

Agree, O. I'd swear I was a Chelsea supporter if it stopped any of my tax take being spent on badger culling.